New observations by the Hubble Space Telescope indicate surprising changes in the shape and size of Jupiter's Great Red Spot, CNN reported.
The Hubble Space Telescope has spent the last three months, from December to March, focused on Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, capturing its unique motions and deformations. This mysterious storm, the largest in our solar system, has been observed to wiggle and shift unexpectedly, suggesting a dynamic complexity previously underestimated by scientists.
The Great Red Spot, a massive anticyclone, has been a prominent feature of Jupiter’s atmosphere and has intrigued astronomers since its discovery. This storm is so large that Earth itself could fit within its swirling expanse. About 200 years of continuous observation have evidenced its resilience and longevity, even as it showcases general storm instability.
During the 90-day observation window, scientists noted that the storm altered in size and shape, similar to gelatin or a stress ball being squeezed. These changes were reported in The Planetary Science Journal and discussed in detail at the 56th annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Sciences held in Boise, Idaho. According to Amy Simon of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, this kind of size fluctuation has not been previously identified, signifying a discovery in the behavior of this gigantic storm.
The detailed images from Hubble enabled precise measurements of this iconic storm's dimensions, brightness, color, and oscillation during one complete cycle. The nature of these fluctuations has revealed more about the storm than static observations could ever unveil. “This is the first time we’ve had the proper imaging cadence to observe the GRS—I mean, with Hubble's resolution, it's clear that the storm is squeezing in and out while it moves,” Simon added.
Simon also explained the process of Hubble's annual observations under NASA's Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy program, which continually monitors the outer planets to track changes over time. This program provided the foundation upon which the new, dedicated observations of the Great Red Spot were made, giving scientists a better understanding of its behavior and influence within Jupiter's atmosphere.
These new insights are not just about size and shape; they extend to the storm’s temperature and internal dynamics. A parallel study with the James Webb Space Telescope showed that the center of the Great Red Spot is surprisingly cold. This cold-core is likely a driver in the formation of thick clouds within the storm, which may play a role in sustaining its striking red color.
The variability observed in the Great Red Spot is leading scientists like Leigh Fletcher to reflect on our understanding of planetary atmospheres. “Jupiter’s striped clouds and the famous red storm might look static and stable, but they are anything but. We see incredible variability, akin to the chaotic weather patterns on Earth,” Fletcher observed.
Further analyses suggest that the Great Red Spot might undergo more permanent changes. Current predictions indicate that the storm will likely shrink and possibly stabilize into a circular shape, reducing its longitudinal oscillations. This change could eventually stabilize the storm further, making it less susceptible to the distorting effects of surrounding winds and other Jovian storms.
The research also aims to enhance our understanding of weather systems beyond our planet, potentially even those on exoplanets. By studying such colossal and enduring storms, scientists hope to develop better models for understanding atmospheric dynamics across the solar system and beyond.
“The change in shape is critical as it impacts how the edges of the vortex interact with surrounding weather systems,” noted Leigh Fletcher. He highlighted the importance of long-term atmospheric observation, which is vital in recognizing patterns and structures within Jupiter's chaotic weather systems.
These findings underscore the complex interplay of forces at work in Jupiter's atmosphere and may pave the way for future discoveries regarding planetary atmospheres in our galaxy. The longer we observe these dynamic systems, the more we learn, underlining the continuous need for advanced space-based observatories like Hubble and James Webb.
